The remaining three commissioners of the Election Assistance Commission were pushed out of office by Trump, US media reported unanimously. The commission was established by Congress in 2002 to support states with federal funds and other assistance in organizing elections. In the US, elections are primarily a matter for the states, not the federal government.
The four commissioners are normally supposed to be split equally between Republicans and Democrats. Recently, however, only three members remained on the panel, with one seat vacant. Adrian Fontes, a Democrat and first deputy to the governor of Arizona, criticized: “Trump is clearly determined to cause chaos in the elections. This step undermines the integrity of nonpartisan election administration.” Other critics also reacted with dismay to the decision, calling it a worrying attempt to influence elections.
The US Supreme Court had significantly expanded the president’s power over independent federal agencies at the end of June. The specific case involved members of the antitrust agency Federal Trade Commission (FTC). But it was already suspected that the ruling would affect other agencies and be used by Trump as a precedent.
Source: Stadt München
